Automatic fare-indicator for hire or other vehicles.



A. SEIMAN. AUTOMATIC FARE INDICATOR FOR HIRE OR OTHER VEHIGLES.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 28. 1908 Patented Feb. 16, 1909.

5 SHEETS-SHEET l.

A. SEIMAN.

AUTOMATIC FARE INDICATOR FOR HIRE OR OTHER VEHICLES. APPLICATION FILEDJULY 28. 1908.

912,899, Patented Feb. 16, 1909.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

1 I H I Q wmwdwm A. SEIMAN. AUTOMATIC FARE INDICATOR FOR HIRE OR OTHERVEHICLES.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 28, 1908.

Patented Feb. 16, 1909. 5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

ESE:

A. SEIMAN.

AUTOMATIC FARE INDICATOR FOR HIRE OR OTHER VEHICLES.

APPLICATION FILED JULYZB. 1908.

Patented Feb. 16, 1909.

5 SHEETS-SHBBT 4.

nm M WW A. SEIMAN. AUTOMATIG EAEE INDIGATOR FOR HIRE OR OTHER VEHICLES.

APPLIOATION FILED JULY 28. 1908;

Patnted Feb. 16, 1909.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

Fly 1,;

. UNITED STATES PATENT ()FFTCE.

ALFRED SEIMAN, OF PARIS, FRANCE, ASSIGNOR TO JOSEPH LOUIS MYERS, OFPARIS, FRANCE.

AUTOMATIC FARE-INDICATOR FOR HIRE OROTHER VEHICLES.-

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 16, 1909.

Application filed July 28, 1998. Serial No. 445,837.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALFRED SEIMAN, a subject of the King of Roumania,residing at. 72 Boulevard St. Marcel, Paris, France,

engineer, have invented a new and useful Automatic Fare-Indicator forHire or Other Vehicles, of which the following is a specification. f

My invention relates to. improvements in lo automatic fare indicatorsfor hire or other vehicles, of the kind commonly known to the public astaximeters and for the purpose of visibly registering to a passenger thefare due for the hire of the vehicle according to the time or distance.

As usual this apparatus is mounted within easy reach of the driver,close to or on the drivers seat, and within reading distance from-thepassenger to whom it presents a plate ,or dial on which the fare isregistered in accordance with the time for which the vehicle may havebeen hired. The setting of the app. ratus is effected by the driver bymeans of a handle or lever usually carrying or connected with a plate orflag marked For hire or otherwise, and so attached to the operativeparts of the apparatus as to setthe latter at an initial fee, varyingaccording to the time of day and number of 0 persons to be carried bythe vehicle. The working mechanism is driven by the wheels of thevehicle, and it is'inclosed in a housing so as to he inaccessible to thedriver or to any other person exceptthe one authorized 3.5 by the.particular carriage concern, or to the owner of the vehicle,-in order toexclude any unfair manipulation. It is moreover and by preferenceprovided with a totalizer or recorder, automatically registering the 40total number of hires or fares within a given time, and constructed andoperating in any known or appropriate manner. The mechanisnris oneworking on the horo-kilometric system and it is accordingly andconstantly do a controlled bya suitable clockwork.

According to my invention the characteris 'c' feature of the apparatusconsists in the arrai'igement of a setting shaft which is connected onthe one hand with the knob or tifiO handle by means of which theregistering mechanism may be set to the starting position 'and restoredto the initial position, and

" either-other hand with the member posi- 'tively driven by the wheels0f thevehicle. 'Ilie'said shaft-moreover carries a gear constantlyengaging Withthe clockwork, and a ment has been set, is spent, to whichend a notch of a determined extent is provided in the transmitting gearcausing a corresponding lost motion or idle running of the parts.

Another important feature of my invention is the construction of thegear transmitting motion to -the registering device. It is composed of apair of pin wheels hav- 'in' a twofold en a ement and thereb Y 006 b aI? crating in a manner to produce a' periodical or intermittent action,which is assisted by a spring actuated pawl, whereby the periods of theengagement are rendered more sudden and definite, for thepurpose ofproducing the change of the figures on the counting wheels at themoments at which they are to appear on the indicating face of theinstrument, more swift and apparent.

Moreover the apparatus comprises a very shnple'and effective connectionof the operative handle or shaft and of the board or flag indicatingwhether the apparatus is free for hire or not, and other various detailsof construction, as will clearly appear from the description withreference to the accompanying drawings in which:

.- .Figure 1. is a perspective view of the apparatus. as seen from thepassengers seat. Fig. 2. is a perspective view of the interior of theupper part or cover of the housing, and showing the connecting rod andcam operated by the shaft of the mechanism and connected to thesignboard or flag. Fig. 3. is a front elevation of the mechanism showying the counting wheels, the. clockwork and other parts as they appear0n t.he removal of the front face of the housing. ig. 4. is a section ofthe housing on the line H of Fig. 3. and showing a plan view of themechanism. Fig. 5. is a lateral view of the parts shown in Fig. 3. uponthe removal of the left hand side wall'of the housing. Fig. 6. is asection of the lower part of the housing onthe line6 -6 of Fig. viewedin the of Fig. 9., viewed in the direction of the ararrows. Fig. 12.shows in rows, Fig. 11. is a section on line 11-11 of. Fig. 9. looked atin the direction of the detail a front elevation of the toothed pinwheels and pawl of the transmission gear. Fig. 13. 1s a secsection onthe line 1515 of Fig.

16. shows. a front elevation of the cotip- Fig.

tion on the line 13-13 of Fig. 12. Fig. 14:. is a, lateral view of thepawl controlling'the movementof the pin 'wheels. Fig. 15. is a 4: and

erative parts located immediately behind in a housing A, which consistsand serving ing wheels. w

The whole of the mechanism is inclosed preferably of two parts. Theupper. part A, is provided with a front wall A twolateral walls A and anupper wall A*, which constitutes the senger,

top of the housing. The front wall A has suitable recesses or slots. AA, through which the indications of the apparatus are, in the usualmanner, exposed to the pasand which are by preference closed glassplates or other transparent material. The other part of the housing iscon mount -cd partly on stituted by the back plate A and by the baseplate A The mechanism of the apparatus is the base plate A and part1 onthe back plate A, in. such a manner t at the part A, of the housing canbe easilyremoved or put in place without'necessitating any essentialdismounting or disconnection of the mechanism proper.

A to lie externally of .and another inscription such as Journaled inbrackets B, secured to the' top A of the housing is a shaft 13, to whichis secured between the brackets B, a roller B carrying an inscriptionsuch as For hire ,-or the like, which is visible through one of therecesses A in the front face A the apparatus is at rest, Hired or if themechanism is set of the housing when Horokilometric for operation.

' Secured to one end of the shaft BB so as A the housing is an. arm B towhich is attached the signboard or flag adapted to indicate to tancewhether the Vehicle is free or on hire by being either in a raised orlowered posh tion. The other end oftheshaftfB}, carriesfor the movementof the count-' D which carries a adapted to receive t knob ;'D has acavity 5E of screwed into the shaft G. A coil spring E isinterposedbetween theinner face of the head Etp andthe opposite-wall of the cav-'a crank B to which is attached a connecting rod 13, the other end ofwhich is connected to or embraces a pin B fast and eccentricallyarranged on a disk B rotatably journaled on a pin B", on that inner wallA, of the housing which is opposite to the lateral wall in which thesignboard or flag B, is journaled. The disk B, is provided with anenlarged portion or sector 13, which cooperates with a pin 13*", of anarm B, or other member fast on the corresponding end of the settingshaft of the mechanism, whereby on the apparatus being set at startingposition the signboard or flag B, is, by means of the connection justdescribed, automatically turned into a lowered position, while upon the.apparatus being reset to zero position the flag 'B is brought back toinitial position indicated in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 5 of the drawing. Itwill thus be seen that the part A of the housing and the mechanism 'ustdescribed is absolutely self-contained, and the connection of the partsfor operating the signboard or flag B is etfectedby merely slipping thepart A, over the other part of the housing, as will be clearlyunderstood.

J ournalecl in brackets C C attached to the rear wall A of the housingor otherwise to the frame work is a shaft C which is the setting shaftof the apparatus. This shaft extends longitudinallythrough the housingand is provided with a square endportion G which terminates short of theadjacent side wall A of the housing, and is adapted to receivetheinnenend D of a knob or handle'D by means of which the shaft'canreceive a limited rocking movement in one or other direction for thesetting or resetting of the apparatus, as will be hereinafter described.Said lateral wall A of the housing is provided with a circular opening Dthrough which the tubular end D of the knob D can be introduced andslipped over the square portion- C',-of the shaft C. Ad-

jacent to the outer face of the said wall A and forming part of the knobD is a collar any one of two open ngs D", so disposed in thecorresponding wall A of the housing as to hold the knob D in one'or theother of two positions at which-it has been set by the operator.

The square end Chef the shaft C is provided with a threaded'bore C,(Fig. 9.) he threaded. end of a pin which can be introduced through abore D, of) the knob after the latter has been ,slipped over the end ofthe shaft C. This pin E is provided with'ajhead E and the 1), into whichthe head the pin E enters when the latter is pm D, adapted to entereiaaee I ity D The'knob D is moreover provided with a disk D which canbe screwed into the knob so as to close the cavity D, after the pin Ehas been introduced. Thus it will be seenthat by' screwing-the pin Einto the end C of the shaft C, the knob D is secured in its position andcan only be detached after the removal of the plate D and after thewithdrawal of the pin E. The spring E tendsto constantly press the knobD against the adjacent wall A, of the housing, thereby forcing the pin Dinto one or the other opening provided therein. Thus ifit is de'-' siredto turn the knob D, the operator must first exert a pull thereon againstthe action of the spring E, in order to withdraw the pin D, from thecorresponding hole, after which the knob is free to be turned in one orother direction, as already stated.

Rotatably journaled in the base plate A, inany suitable manner, such as.for instance by means of a socket F secured to the base plate is anendless screw or worm F, to

. which rotation is imparted from the wheels of the-vehicleby a cable F(Fig. 8,) or by any other known driving means. At;

tached to this end 'of the cable or integral therewith is a barrel F theend F, of which is screw threaded, and whichis so introduced into theworm F that its upper end F, projects beyond the latter, and beyond abracket F which serves as the upper bearing of theworm F. The lower endof the worm F is provided with a notch F, with which engages a squareportion or keyF, fast on the barrel F of the'cable F is provided forconnecting or disconnecting the apparatus with the wheels of thevehicle, and a nut F, is screwed over the end portion F of the barrel Fso as to hold the latter in place. i

On the shaft C rotatably journaled is a worm wheel C, which is inconstant engagement with the w0rm F. The hub C, of this worm wheelcarries a projection C, and adjacent to the wheel C, and slidingzlyarranged on the shaft C is-a disk C, the hub C" of which extendsnormally over the hub C, of the worm wheel 0*, and is provided with anotch C adapted to receive the projection C, thereby preventing the diskC from rotating independently of the worm wheel O. The hub C", ismoreover provided with a cavity C", in which lies a coil spring In thisway-a very simple and effective means engagement with a pawl C pivotedto the inner face of the disk C and held in engagement with'theratchetC, by a spring C", (Fig. 10,) likewise attached to the same faceof the disk C whereby the r..tchet wheel 0, together with the sleeve Cis caused to rotate in the same directio -i as the disk C driven by theworm wheel he opposite end of the sleeve C carries a ratchet disk C, theouter face of which carries radially set bevel teeth C, which are inengagement with a spring or pawl C attached to, and by preference/lyingin, a cavity C of a disk C, which fprms part of or is connected with apinion C loosely surrounding the shaft C and consiantly meshing with anintermediate gear driven by the clockwork, which need not be furtherdescribed Both theteeth of the ratchet C, and those of the disk C, are

are so arranged that the rotation of the sleeve C can take place onlyin. one direction corresponding-to that of the worm wheel 0", and of thepinion C, as will be readily perceived. The bevel wheel C, forming partof or fast on the sleeve C constitutes the means by which the motionimparted either from the worm wheel 0", or from the pinion C, isultimately transmitted to the registering mechanism as will hereinafterbe fully explained.

On the end of the shaft C, opposite to that which carries the worm'wheelC, is securely mounted a berel pinion C, which meshes with a bevel wheelG keyed or otherwise "registering mechanism so as to set the latter atinitial fee when the shaft Cis rotated by the knob D of the apparatuseach time the mechanism is restored to initial position.

Between the pinion Cfflnnd the bevel pinion C, is a clutch H consistingof two collars H H The collar H is rigidly secured to the shaft C orconstitutes part of the bevel pinion C The other collar H", is looselyarranged on the shaft 0, and capable of sliding thereon. It is providedwith a beveled face or cam H capable of engaging with a-correspondingbeveled face or cam 11*, of the fixed collar H (Fig. 9.) Securedmoreover to the movable collar H is a lug Hi-which normally extends overadetent or bracket I (Figs. 4 and 9) forming part of or attached to theframe work' or housin The pinion C, which is constantly driven by theclockwork, drives, by means'of the {ratchet C C the sleeve C and conse-.quently the bevel wheel C "termined by the speed of ata speed detheclockwork. This sleeve C", is also driven by the worm gear 0, F,according to the speed of the vehicle, the driving in both cases takingplace in one and the same direction-owi'n 'to the arrangement of theratchets C and C C, as has already been stated, and it, is thereforethat one of the t-wo driving wheels C 0 which inthe operation of theapparatus rotates at a higher speed, that ultimately drives the sleeve Cand with it the bevel gear C, which transmits the mo-' tion to the re'stering mechanism. The bevel gear C 15 adapted to engage with a bevelpinion J when the apparatus is set for use. The bevel Wheel J has acylindrical hubJ which loosely surrounds the hub K of a pinwheel K,(Fig.13) rotatably fitted on a stub shaft or pivot.K ,transversely secured inthe framework. Thehub K, of the pin wheel carries a radial pin Kflandthe 'hub J ,-is provided with a concentric notch J through which the pinK projects, and normally bears against one end of the notch.

Between the bevel wheel J and the pin wheel K is a-traction or coilspring L, one end of which is attached to the inner face of the bevelwheel J, its other end being secured to the opposite-face of the pinwheel K.' This spring has a tendency to counteract the rotation of thepin wheel K imparted to it by-the bevel wheel J, whenthe latter isdriven by the bevel wheel C The pin K and the notch J constitute aclutch by means of which the bevel pinion J and the pin wheel K arecoupled when the pin has traveled to the end of the said notch oppositeto that into which it projects in the initial position. Thus until thepin K reaches said opposite end of thenotch J the bevel wheel J, onbeing driven by the bevel wheel C turns loosely on the hub of the pinwheel K, which during that period remains stationary. As has alreadvbeenstated the extent of the notch J is such that thetime during which. thepin wheel K remains stationary and during which the registeringmechanism is consequently idle, corresponds to the initial fee at whichthe apparatus has been set; Normally the bevel wheel J is out ofengagement with the bevel wheel C and it is brought into engagement withthe latter under the influence of the clutch H by-the setting, and outofv engagement therewith by resetting the apparatus to its initialcondition.

The operator in setting the a paratus turns the'knob D in onedlI'BCtlOILFfiEIOW a Fig. 1.) whereby the movable clutch collar H whichis normally out of engagement with the collar H is by such turning ofthe knob =1) and under-the action of the spring C (Fig. 9) moved towardsand into engagement with the fixed collar H or away from collar H if theknob D is turned in opposite direction (arrow 6 Fig. 1.) thereby eitherdisplacing the sleeve C and the parts adjacent to the same, aided by theand to the unitsdisk U, and

spring o and throwing the bevel wheel 1- G into engagement with thebevel wheel J, orfthrowing. these two pinions outof e111,

,gagement, as will be clearly understood from the drawings. As shown inFig. ,4. apln O or other abutment is provided on the inner face of thebracket C and extends into. the path of an arm C secured to the T shaftG, whereby the rotary movement of the latter under the influence of theknob D is limited, when the mechanism is restored to initial'position.

The pin wheel K- is in engagement with a pin wheel M (Figs. Band 12),mounted on a sleeve M extendingto the shaft G of the ,80 apparatus. Thispin wheel M carries a" number of teeth M on its circumference, :tndacorresponding number of 'pins M which'extend axially, one between eachtwo adjacent teeth both ways and near the'circumferenceof the wheel. Thepin wheel K has also teeth K on its circumference and axiallyprojectingpins K, the number of which howeveris smaller than that of theteeth and pins of the wheel M, and the ar-'90 rangement is such .thatthe teeth M of the pin wheel M are operated by the pins K, of the pinwheel K, while its pins M cooperate with the teeth K of the pin wheel K,and the wheelsK and Mhave therefore a twofold engagement. The number ofthe teeth K and that of the pins K, is, as. has already been said,smaller than the number of the teeth M and the pinsM", on the wheel M,as the pins K and the teeth K are set at. 10t a greater distance fromone another than the corresponding teeth and pins of the 1 wheel M, andthe engagement of the-two wheels is thereforenotcontinuous-but'periodical, the wheel M being at times completely freeor out of engagement with the pin wheel K, but it is' immova-bly held bythe disk portions'ofthe whee'l K,-which, in rotating, always lieswithitscircumference; between two pins M of the pinwheel M until eachengagement is effected, as will clearly be seen from Fig. 12 of thedrawings.

- The pin wheel M'is fast on the sleeve M which is slipped over atransverse shaft M carrying the disk U which registers the units .115-

of the fare, the operative connection between.

the sleeve M and the shaft M", being effected by a one way clutchorratchet device. similartothat designated by C C, C, in Figs. 9 and 11.as described in connection with the sleeve-C and pinion C arranged onthe shaft C...- .The counting wheel X indi-,

cating the tens, and the counting wheel Z eared together are driven bythe latter in any well. known manner, or preferably by the mechanismillustrated in Fig, 16. which will be hereinafterexplained.

indicating the hundreds are On the pin wheel Mirotating, the shaft M",-

which carries the units disk U, receives a new 1.30

meshingwith a wheel 0 riodical and rotary movement of a certainamplitude, and at a speed imparted to that shaft M", by the pinwheel K,and the bevel pinion J from the worm wheel C, or by the pinion C, fromthe clockwork. its all these wheels rotate very slowly, the shaft M andconsequently the units disk U would. accordingly be turned in a veryslow nnmner. in order to obviate this inconvenience. and in order toeffect, as is desirable, a swift change of the figures indicated by theunits disk a the moment at which such figures are to be exposed to thepassenger, the following mechanism has been provided:--Certain of thepins 1 on the pin wheel K are constantly in contact with a pawl N,pivoted at N as is shown in Fig. 6, tonne of the intermediate brackets,and held againstor in contact with the adjacent 'pinsK, by a spring Nthe lower end of which is wound on the shaft of the pivot N and confinedbetween one face of the pawl N, and the head N of the pivot N asindicated in Fig. 14. while its upper end bears against a lateral pin Nsecured to the corresponding face of the pawl N. The spring N pressesthenose N", of said pawl constantly in one direction, whereasthe pins K ofthe pinwhcel K periodic ally change the direction of their pressure withregardto said nose N"',-i11 such a manner that at the determined pointof Contact of each pin K", with the pawl N, the pressure of said pinsupplements that of the nose N", instead of opposing it, whereby the pinwheel K receives, at. this moment, a sudden quick rotary movement, whichis aided by the. pull of thespring L and is limited by the extent of arecess N, provided in the pawl N immediately below the edge of its noseN", as can be seen from Figs. 12 and 14-,

inthe drawings. The pin wheel K has therefore two periods in itsmovements, one during which .it moves slowly, and during which itopposes itself to the pressure exerted by the pawl N, and the otherwhich is rapid and which takes place in conjunction with the pawl N andunder the action of the spring L at the moment atlwhich the pin .wheel Kactually operates the pin wheel and the units wheel U whereby the changeof the figures exposed by the latter is sudden and definite. It shouldbe noted that the quick movement ofthe pawl N, does, in this action, notaffect the bevel gear J, and there 1 fore does not influence the bevelwheel C, owing to the provision of the notch J in the hub J of the gearJ, as has heretofore been explained.

On the end of the shaft M, of the ur. its wheel, which is driven by thepin Wheel M, opposite to that which wheel is lllOlllltGd fl. bevel'wheel0, (Fig. 'Z.

carried by the totalizer. which shaft of the corresponding and knowntype.

maybe of any appropriate carries said units.

are accordingly made use of, one serving for the said second kilometersor miles,

supplemen- 7 5 or upper set of counting wheels U X Z,

for the uroose of indicatiin such su) ilementary charges for instance ifthe vehicle is hired at nlght time, or for a number of persons exceedingthe average number allowed for the ordinary fee, or if in addition thevehicle is to carry heavy parcels or luggage- The shaft P of the crank Pcar-ries, inside the casing, a ratchet wheel P and it has a limitedmovement in one direction, being each time drawn back sition by a springor the like. is can be seen from Figs. 57- and 15, the ratchet wheel Pdrives a pinion P and the latterengages with a pinion Q secured to theend of a transverse shaft Q tends parallel to the shaft M", and isadapted to operate by means of a one way ratchet device, the upper unitswheel U of the supplementary set of the countingwheels.

to its initial po .90'

which lies above and ex- Beyond the pinion Q and mounted on the shaft Qis a bevel pinion Q which engages with a bevel pinion Q, secured to theend of the shaft oft-he supplementary totalizer wheels, as can be seenfrom Fig. 7. of thedrawings.

cords the automatic action ofthe mechanism The totalizcr which reisdriven by a worm F, constituting one Q end of a transverse shaft F, theother end of which carries a worm gear F, which is i v with the worm'Fin constant engagement driven by the vehicle as indicated in F10. 4.

a As has-already been mentioned the operat on of the countingwheels U,X, Z and U Z from the res )QCilYG units wheels 9 7 can take place in anyknown manner, but a an appropriate preferable construction of mechanismshall, by way of example, be described with reference to Figs. 15 and 16of the drawings. The intermediate pinion G which is tation of the unitscounting wheels when the shaft 0- is turned by the knob D in order toreturn the counting wheels to initial position, is so ar 'anged as toengage both with the pinion R fixed on the-shaft M and g the pinion Sfixed on the shaft Q of the u per units wheelU. Each of'the pinions it,S, is loose on the shaft of the respective wheel, and drives the latterthrough a one provided for the simultaneous rowith way clutch. Onepart'of this clutch is cong y a n 912,899

stituted by a cylindrical portion fast on the constantly draw the leverY into engagepinion and containing the pawl or feather ment with the camC The horizontalarm arranged in a manner similar to that of the Y ofsaid lever carries atits end a plate or spriirg (1 (Fig. 9.), and theother part of bar Y, which extends parallel to the shaft ,5 the clutchconsists of a disk RP, S, con- C and lies below the lower set ofcounting 70 stru'cted such as for instance the disk C in wheels U, X, Z,as can clearly be seen from Fig. 11., or otherwise so as L be engaged byFigs 3 and l of the drawing. Each of these the-adjacent" clutchportion,if the latter is lower counting wheels is provided with a turned':in "one direction, and each disk R tooth or notch U X Z respectively,and

i0 S is provided'with a radial tooth, R, S, the plate or horizontal armY, of the lever 75 engaging with a toothed wheel R, S, on the Y, carrieson its upper face three projections shaft of-theiadjaeent disk X, X, insuch a or pins Y which lie opposite the'teeth U hnanner that flay' eachcomplete revolution of X?, if the counting wheels are in initial theshaftsflvlfiu and Q, each pinion R",. S is position. The cam C is so set'on the shaft turned by the extent of hue tooth, or in othei O that theprojection Y on the lever is held 80 tt'erds, by one unit, wrhefn thecorresponding in the recess C .of the cam under the action "mitts wheelis turned. to the extent of ten of the spring Vi when the shaft 0 hasbeen units, On the shafts of the counting wheels turned by means of theknob D in the di; X,"X -,'-are secured similar 'disks, R", S, eachrection of the arrow 7) (Figs; 1 and 15.) for the provided with a radialtooth R", S y each purpose ofrestoring the mechanism of the 5. adaptedtO'lil1IIl. a pinion B S secured toapparatus, and the counting wheelsU,X, Z,Y the corresp'cniding shaft'of each of the countto initialposition, and in this position the. ing wheels zfi, Z denoting forinstance the lever Y is so held by the spring V that the hundreds ofunits, which are thus turned by plat'e Y", is elevated and consequentlythe,

one toothupon each complete revolution of pins Y, are held in engagementwith the 90 the adjacent. counting wheel X, X in a well teeth U X Z ofsaid counting wheels in known manner:- The shafts of the counting orderto stop the latter precisely in the iniwheels are journaled at one endin a longitial position and to prevent any-likely over-,. tudinalextension of the bracket C and at running of the wheels, as it mayroccurduro the other end in a bracket T arranged in the ing their setting. Onturning the shaft C in 5 rear of the counting wheels, and the pinionsopposite direction (arrow a), the lever Y is R R R and S, S, S, arecontrolled by rocked by the cam C againstthe action of a double set ofpawls T T T T*, T, T, the spring V, whereby the pins Y are. of which thefirst three are vertically. guided thrown out of engagement with thecounting 3-5 in a lower bracket T and the other in an wheels when theapparatus is set for use, as 100 upper bracket T secured to the bracketT. will be readily understood. Each of the pawls projects between twoThe operation of the described apparatus teeth of each of the saidpinions R R, R", is as follows :In the initial position of the S S S",into which position it is normally. apparatus the signboard B is.elevated,

' pressed by a spring T he latter being inthereby indicating to thepassenger thatthe 5 of the corresponding recess in which eachprefere'ncealso indicated by the inscription I pawl is guided in thebrackets T T Each on the roller -'B and is visible through the pinion isthus held immovable until 1t 1s enslot A, of thehousing. I The pinion Cis 5 gaged by the toothed disk of the ad acent at all times driven bythe clockwork, and .110 tin h el; the worm gear G, rotates if thevehicle is in The arm C, at one end of the shaftC 15 motion, but, as inthe initial position, the adapted to cooperate with a spring actuatedclutch collars H H areout of engagement ratchet or lever, "C indicatedin Fig. 4, with one another, the transmitting pinion which has for itsobject to operate the wheels C, is out of engagement with the bevel 115of the adjacent totalize'r' when'the niechanwh l J, d th ti Wheels areism is Setfor use, as'is well known in apoperative. If the vehicle is tobe hired, the

amtus of this kind. Qn the opposite end of dri\ er turns the knob D inthe direction of a the shaft C, and adjacenttotlie bracket porthe arrowa (Fig. 1-.) whereby the clutch tion C in which said end of the shaft"is 'c-ollai's H, 1-1 are thrown into engagement 120 journaled, issecuredacam C and, as can with each other, and the sleeve C carryclearly be seen from Fig. 15, this cam" is ing the bevel pinion C iscaused to move providedwith a. circumferential recess C into theposition shownin Fig. 4 of the adapted to engage with a projection orlug drawings, in which the transmittin gear Y 0f abell crank lever Y,which is pivoted meshes with the pinion C and thus 125 at Y to arearward extension of the bracket driven both by the clockwork whichcontrols T. The up er end of the vertical arm of the rotation of thepinion C and by the the lever Y is attached to a pring V to the wormwheel C, which derives its rotation upper end of a rear bracket or tothe rear from the worm F from the vehicle, as above terposed between thepawl and the bottom vehicleis free for hire. This condition is by wallof the housing, the spring V tending to stated. By the same movement ofthe knob 13( -knob D for re-setting purposes, are said fromthe wormwheel C, or from of said sleeve, are features of construction D the diskB, rocks the crank disk'B and lowers the flag B to indicate that thevehicle is on hire. It should here be reniembered that in so throwingthe driving pinion G, into engagement with the trans-' mitting gear J,the position of the counting wheels is notinterfered with, owing to theone way clutch, by means of which the. pinions R, R, R S, S S arecoupled with the counting wheel shafts,.and that only by rotation in onedirection (arrow 'b Fig. 1.)

which corresponds to thatultimately im parted to the mechanism from thedriving pinionsC, C or to the turning-ofthe' counting wheels actuallyoperated. The transmission gear J, K, M, is now in operation,'lmt, ashas already been explained, the pin wheel K remains idle until thepin Khasreached the extreme end of the notch J during the rotation of thewheel J at the end of the time whichcorresponds to that allowed for theinitial fee at which the apparatus has been set. This point beingreached the pin wheel K begins to transmit the motion imparted tothe'bevel wheel-J the pinion C should the latter turn faster than theworm wheel C, to the pin wheel M and through the shaft M to the unitdisk U, which operates the adjacent counting wheel X at the end of eachcomplete revolution, in the manner described. The mechanismin this wayregisters the amount due for the hire' of the vehicle according tothetime for which it has been hired. At the end of that time the driverturns the knob in the direc tion of arrow I) (F 1".) whereby theregistering mechanism is brought back to the initialposition, with thecounting wheels set at the initial fee, while the signboard B", throughthe action of the crank disk B ,and connecting rod 13, is elevated toindicate with the roller .8 that the apparatus is again free for hire.at the sametime the shaft'C, by means of the arni C operates thetotalizer which accordingly records that hire of the vehicle.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that the construction oftheapparatus is very simple and owing to the symmetrical arrangement ofthe various parts is very compact, and that all of such partsare sosecurely mounted within the casingthatthe latter may readily be openedwithout necessitating any dismounting or removal of the mechanisn'iproper. The provision moreover of the movable sleeve on the scttin shaftwhich carries the pinion by ineans 'ot which the motion is transmitted,eitherfrom the clockwork or from the vehicle-as described, and the meansprovided for the displacement by the presence of which the apparatusconsiderably simplified, rendering special ratus, the combination of alevers and the arrangement of separate gears, as hitherto used, entirelysuperfluous. While I havc'describcd in the foregoing specification theconstruction of parts and operations preferred I am aware that numerouschanges of construction may be made without departing from the spiritand scope of my invention, and I therefore do not wish to be understoodas limiting myself by the positive terms employed in connection with thedescription, except suclr asthe state of art may require. V lVhat Iclaim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. Thecombination, in an automatic fare indicating apparatus, of drivingmechanism, registe 'ing mechanism, a manually operated shaft for thesetting of the driving. mechanism to operative position, and for thesetting of the registering mechanism to initial position" by restoringthe driving mechanism to normal position, with a member driven by thevehicle, and a member driven' by the clockwork, means intermediate ofsaid members for transmitting the motion from either driving member tothe registering mechanismand a clutch operated by the setting shaft forthe engagement or disengagementof said intermediate means with or fromthe device communicating the movement to the registering. mechanism, allsubstantially as set forth. p

2, In an automatic fare indicating apparatus, the combination ofregisteringmechanism a manually operated rotary setting shaft with apinion rotatable on said shaft and driven by the vehicle, a piniondriven by the clockwork and movably arranged on said, shaft, amemberintermediate of the two pinions, and axially movable on thesetting shaft, and a one way ratchet interposed between saidintern'iediate member 'and each of the two pinions, whereby movementfrom either-9f tire pinions is imparted to the intermediate inembcininone direction only. and a clutch on the shaft and operated by the latterto throw the intermediate member into gear-with the, levicecommunicating the movement to the registering mechanism by setting theshaft, and out of gear thereof by resetting the shaft for restoringpurposes, substantially as, de'sc-r1bed.= i I 3. In an automatic fareindicating appa- 'atus, the 'combin'ation of :a manuallyoper-.Med-rotarysett ng. shaftwlth a clutch. of

whichone-part is securely fixed on the shaft and' the other is-, movablein axial direction thereo n, a fixed member. or detentguiding said'niovablenclutch member, and a spring on the shaft acting in oppositionto the displacement in one'direction of said movable clutch member,substantially as shown, and

for the purpose specified.

4.. In an automatic fare indicating appasign board rotat'ably'mounted onthe outside of the apparatus, a manually operated rotary setting shaftwith a member securely mounted at one end stantially as described, andfor the purpose specified. v

5. In an automatic fare indicating apparatus, the combination of amanually voperated rotary setting shaft, with a cam fixed at the endthereof, a shaft journaled in a separate part of the housing, asignboard secured to one end of said shaft, a crank at the other end ofthe shaft, and a connecting rod attached at one end to said crank, andat the other to a cam cooperating with the cam on the setting shaft, allsubstantially as described' '6. Ina-n automatic fare indicatingapparatus, the coinbination'with a manually operated rotary settingshaft, of a pinion fast thereon, and engaging with a pinion operatingthe gear of the counting wheels, and

one way"'ratchets interposed between the driving pinions of said gear,and said'count ing wheels to'operate the 'latter by rotation only in onedirection, substantially as set forth.

7. In an automatic fare indicating apparatus, the combination of amanually operated rotary setting shaft, with a cam fast on the shaft, amember in constant engagement with said cam, and means operated by saidmember, and adapted to engage with the counting wheels in the movementof the setting shaft for adjusting the counting wheels at an initialposition, substantially as described.

8.' In an automatic fare indicating apparatus, the combination of thedriving mechanisrn,as specified, with a transmitting gearinterposed-between said driving mechanism and the registering device,and having two toothed wheels provided with pins, thepins of one wheelengaging with the teeth of the other, the number of teeth and pins inone wheel being diflerent from that of the pins and teeth of the otherwheel, thereby producing a periodical double engagement, substantiallyas described.

9. In an automatic fare'indicating apparatus, the combination with amanually operated rotary setting shaft of a transmitting gear, axiallymovablethereon, an idler to which movement is imparted by said ear fromthe vehicle or from the clockwor a paratus,

'paratus, mechanism, as specified, with a .pm wheel pinwheelconstituting one of the members of the intermediate transmissiongear, driven by said idler, anda clutch operatively coupling the pinwheel with the idler at a determined moment of the operation,substantially as described.

10. In an automatic fare indicating apparatus, the combination of thedriving mechanism as specified with an idler having a hub looselyrotatable on the hub of the pin wheel to be driven by said idler, acircumferential groove insaicl hub of a determined length, a pin on thehub of the pin wheel engaging with said groove, and a spring attached atone endto the idler and at the other to the pin wheel, substantially asdescribed, and for the purpose set forth.

11. In an automatic fare indicating apthe combination of the .drivingmechanism as specified, of a pin wheel driven by said mechanism, asecond pin wheel to which sa dmotion is periodically imparted,

11a shaft carrying said second pin wheel, and

rotatably arranged on the shaft of the units heel, a one way clutchinterposed between 'said two shafts to transmit the movement from saidsecond pin wheel to theunits wheel, all'substantially as described, andfor the'purpose specified.

12. In an automatic fare indicating apthe combination 'of the drlving'driven from said driving mechanism and a spring actuated pawlcooperating with the pins of said wheel in a manner to-render theperiods of engagement between the two pin wheels rapid and definite atdetermined intervals, substantially as described.

13. In an auton'nit-ic fare indicating apparatus, the combination of amanua ly operated rotary setting shaft with the driving mechanismcarried by said shaft, one set of counting wheels, and intermediatetrans- 'mitting gear for automatically operating said counting wheelsfrom the driving mechanism, a worm imparting movement to the drivingmechanism, and abarrel or key for connecting said worm with the drlvingwheels of the vehicle, all substantially asset forth.

, In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification inthe presence of two subscribing witnesses.

, ALFRED SEIMAN,

Witnesses:

R. H. BRANDON, JUSTIN E. POLLAK.

